When seated on a mountain bike you have three contact points: your butt, your hands, and your feet. Standing up, which you do often on a mountain bike, drops that number to just two contact points. Considering the crucial relationship between your bike and feet, it’s worth spending some time to select the proper footwear.
First off, there is no single best mountain bike shoe for every rider as riding style, pedal preference, terrain, and even the weather can impact your decision. We put together this handy guide to help you select the mountain bike shoes that will work best for your needs. Before we get to the shoes, let’s talk for a moment about pedal choice.
Flats vs. Clipless
Common questions from new riders include, “What pedals should I use?” and “Why are they called clipless pedals if I have to clip into them?” With all the options and confusing terminology, it can be overwhelming.
Back in the day, riders could add a toe clip to their flat pedals to provide a secure interface between their foot and pedal. Since your foot was literally strapped onto the pedal, you and your mountain bike were in it together–for better or worse. If you toppled over or crashed, the bike was coming with you.
In the late 1980s, a new pedal came on the scene. This new pedal required screwing a cleat into the bottom of a shoe. The cleat would lock into the pedal, but a rider could easily disengage by rotating their heel outward. These pedals provided a secure connection, but now without the toe clip. And so, the toe clip less (now, just clipless) pedal was born.
To define them:
- Flat pedals are generally made from aluminum and have a large platform to support your foot, along with a series of pins to increase grip. No special shoes are required.
- Clipless pedals require cycling-specific shoes with a recessed area that can accept a cleat.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages–neither is necessarily better than the other. However, many riders make the jump from flats to clipless too soon. Clipless pedals will mask deficiencies in basic technique that can create other issues down the road. Also, beginner mountain bike riders may be more confident learning fundamental skills with flat pedals, since it’s easy to quickly ditch the bike if needed.
For specific recommendations on pedals, be sure to check out our mountain bike pedals buyer’s guide on the topic. As with most mountain bike gear, the sky’s the limit in terms of price, but there are very affordable choices no matter which type of pedals you choose.
Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes
One of the biggest advantages to flat pedals is the fact that you don’t need any special shoes to ride. Just jump on your bike with whatever shoes you’ve got on your feet! Of course, though, MTB-specific flat pedal shoes will work much better than a typical tennis shoe.
Generally, a flat pedal mountain bike shoe will have a flat sole to maximize the contact area with the pedal. Also, the rubber itself tends to be stickier than what you’d find on a tennis shoe. Stiffness varies from brand to brand, but a flat pedal shoe will be slightly stiffer than your Nikes. Padding and support is also something to consider. Depending on the kind of riding you want to do, some of the DH-specific shoes can be overkill (read: too heavy) outside a bike park. Unfortunately, many companies–flats or clipless–skimp on the insoles, but that’s easily remedied with aftermarket inserts.
Most flat pedal shoes look like overbuilt skate shoes and use standard laces. However, it’s not uncommon to see velcro straps and even Boa laces on some models. If your shoes have laces, be sure to tuck the ends out of the way–you don’t want them getting caught in your pedal or drivetrain!
Clipless Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes
Clipless pedal mountain bike shoes are used for everything from XC racing to DH, so they come in a variety of designs to suit the intended purpose. On the whole, though, they have much stiffer soles than a flat pedal shoe. And, of course, they have a place to mount the required cleat. Entry-level shoes tend to use a nylon shank to provide stiffness, while high-end models use carbon fiber. Stiffness is a good thing, as long as you stay on your bike. Hike-a-biking or even just walking is difficult in a stiff XC shoe. That’s something to consider if your local trails require lots of off the bike time.
Depending on the shoe, the type of tread on the sole will vary greatly. Clipless DH shoes look basically identical to their flat pedal counterparts, just with a spot for a cleat. The tread will be low and minimal. XC and trail shoes will have more aggressive lugs on the sole, but pay attention to the material. Those lugs may look like they’ll provide grip, but if the compound is firm and plasticky, chances are walking on rocks and roots is going to be sketchy. Thankfully, many manufacturers are finally improving the rubber compounds used on the soles of their clipless shoes. This is most often seen on shoes marketed for trail or enduro use.
Closure mechanisms on clipless shoes encompass everything from laces to straps to Boa dials. Entry-level mountain bike shoes tend to get two or three velcro straps, while higher-end models usually add a ratcheting strap and buckle or Boa dials.
Weather Conditions
As I mentioned in the intro, weather can also impact what shoes will work best for you. In very cold conditions, a typical XC clipless shoe is going to leave you with some very cold toes. XC shoes–and even most trail shoes–are heavily vented to keep your feet from getting too sweaty during the summer. But in the winter, all those vents do is let in cold air. Also, the cleat on a clipless shoe acts as heat sink, drawing warmth away from your foot and into your pedal. Flat pedal shoes tend to have less venting, and the solid rubber sole will help keep your feet warmer.
However, companies do make winter-specific cycling shoes for either flat or clipless pedals. They can be expensive, but they’re a solid investment if you plan to keep riding through the winter. Assuming that your feet are no longer growing, they should last you several years since you’ll wear them less than your “summer” shoes.
Fit
Unless you already have a preferred mountain biking shoe (and if you do, why are you reading this?), I would strongly recommend getting your shoes from a local shop or outdoor store. Shoe sizing varies greatly between brands, and not just in terms of length. Some brands are narrower in the midfoot or have really wide toe boxes, for instance.
Pay close attention to your feet. Are there any pressure points? Do seams rub your foot? Walk around the store with the shoes on. Is your heel lifting up with each step? You may be tempted to say a pair of shoes is “good enough,” but any small discomfort will be compounded during a long mountain bike ride.
You’ll also be able to feel differences in sole stiffness and the stickiness of the rubber. Be sure to wear the type of socks you plan to ride in, since that can affect the fit as well. Finally, you may find that you have a preference for one closure mechanism over another.
Recommended Flat Pedal Shoes
Some people can get away with rocking a pair of Vans or hiking boots with their flat pedals, but if you’re ready to get a dedicated pair of mountain biking shoes, here are some solid choices.
- Five Ten Freerider: ⭐️ Find the Five Ten Freerider at Adidas.com
- Ride Concepts Livewire: ⭐️ Find the Ride Concepts Livewire at Jenson USA
- Northwave Clan: ⭐️ Find the Northwave Clan shoes at Jenson USA
- Giro Riddance: ⭐️ Find the Giro Riddance at Evo.com
Click here to find More Flat Pedal Shoes!
Recommended Clipless Pedal Shoes
If and when you’re ready to clip in, there are seemingly endless brands and styles to choose from. First, be honest with yourself about the kind of riding you’re going to do. Unless you plan on racing–or just have cash burning a hole in your pocket–there’s no need to buy a top-of-the-line, carbon-soled race shoe. Above all else, you want your shoes to be as comfortable as possible for their intended purpose. Once you decide on a budget, try on as many shoes as possible in your price range.
- Ion Rascal: ⭐️ Find the Ion Rascal at Competitive Cyclist
- Shimano AM5: ⭐️ Find the Shimano AM5 at REI.com
- Fi’zi:k X1 Infinito: ⭐️ Find the Fi’zi:k X1 Infinito at Competitive Cyclist
- Leatt MTB 4.0: ⭐️ Find the Leatt MTB 4.0 at Backcountry
Click here to find More Clipless Pedal Shoes!
Recommended Winter Shoes
Riding in the winter can be a pleasurable experience as long as you have the right equipment. Without it though, it can be uncomfortable–or even dangerous. On one of my most miserable rides, I sustained nerve damage that left my toes tingling for months. It was during a snowy ride in Georgia (yes, it sometimes snows here) where I tried to get away with using covers over my shoes.
If you must get your riding fix in during the winter, it may be worth purchasing a pair of shoes dedicated to the purpose. Consider getting a half-size larger than your summer shoes to allow room for thick socks and space to wiggle your toes. As always, though, try before you buy.
- Shimano MW7: ⭐️ Find the Shimano MW7 at Backcountry
- Northwave Himalaya Winter Boot: ⭐️ Find the Northwave Himalaya Winter Boot at Amazon.com
- Fizik Terra Artica X2: ⭐️ Find the Fizik Terra Artica X2 at Amazon.com
- 45NRTH Wolfgar: ⭐️ Find the 45NRTH Wolfgar at REI.com
- Endura MT500 Overshoe: ⭐️Find the Endura MT500 Overshoe at Amazon.com
Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
There’s just as diverse a variety of mountain bike shoes for women, too. Again, comfort and fit are key, but it doesn’t hurt to have some style on the trail.
- Five Ten Freerider: ⭐️ Find the Five Ten Freerider at Adidas.com
- Ride Concepts Skyline: ⭐️ Find the Ride Concepts Skyline at Jenson USA
- Pearl Izumi X-Project Elite: ⭐️ Find the Pearl Izumi X-Project Elite at Backcountry
- Bontrager Foray: ⭐️ Find the Bontrager Foray at Trek Bikes
Article last updated by Jamieelee Garcia and Leah Barber on June 7, 2020.
For flats its 5-10s FTW!…stealth rubber is soooo grippy!
Are there any suggestions for what 5-10s would be the best for a mixture of XC and Trail riding. I am on a hard tail 29er if that makes any difference!
I wear Five Ten Dirtbag for a mixture of XC and Trail Riding. I also ride a hardtail 29er. Those shoes grip very well on platforms, I’d definitely recommend you checking them out.
Cool, thanks!
Sam hills, low impact or karvers. They have plenty of sole/cushion for support which will help on a hardtail. Sizes are pretty spot on if ya order online but try to support lbs if possible. Also helps to mate it to a decent flat (shimano saints, straightline amps, cb 50/50).
That’s what I was thinking. I have some platforms that are performing good for being free! But I was looking at the new Spike platforms. Are there any opinions on them?
Spike are a great choice…basically anything with some adjustable pins, a low profile and enough realestate for your feet will be a good choice…
For clipless, I have used Diadora Gecko’s for years. Solid, well built and fit well. I have big feet (size 48), so the fit is important!
Great article! The last picture with the recessed clips and the huge treads – do you figure they would work with a pedal that is combination clipless and platform?
Also, what brand is it?
If you’re talking about the top shoe in the last photo those are Pearl Izumi brand and they will work with a combo pedal. I know because that’s the type of pedal and shoe combo I started with several years ago. I’d double-check the brand of pedal and make sure it’s compatible with the shoe, but it should work. Glad you liked the article!
Very cool – thanks. Do you know the model for that shoe?
I think it’s these: Pearl Izumi Women’s X-ALP Seek IV Cycling Shoe
Great article. I always consider making the move back to flats too see if i prefer that. Maybe one day I’ll give it a shot.
Riding flats without 5-10s is like riding clipless without the cleats. STOOPID!
Highly confused on that one!
Article last updated on February 17, 2017 at 8am MST
ahhh thanks!
One thing not mentioned for flat pedals is that you can move your foot around on the pedal and you can’t on clipless. I prefer to be able to move my foot slightly up to down and side to side or take my inside foot off the pedal for drifting tight corners depending on what I encounter. It gives me a bit more confidence and better balance.
Specialized SFO clipless shoes are amazing. Easy to walk in, double BOA closure for “dialed in” fit, great toe protection, comfortable, look good. I paired them with Shimano Saint Clipless pedals for my favorite shoe pedal combo yet.